Cory Quirino's Inside Out

What pains you?

It is a race. And it becomes complicated with the passage of time.

Human history is the best example of this race. While life was lived simply before, with progress and technology the human condition has become more complex.

The word “urgency” was introduced -- the need to do things faster, to get to where we want to go sooner. And so, as humans rush to work, to meet deadlines, to reach targets, life has become for everyone literally a human race.

Painfully late
If you wake up in the middle of the night with chest pains, you will be rushed to the hospital. If you find yourself spacing out in the middle of the skyway while driving, it is time to see your therapist. If a persistent pain radiating from your spine compromises your mobility, it is time to visit your chiropractor.

But why wait to feel pain before you seek medical help? Let us try to understand some of the pains of the body and the mind today.

In layman’s terms, if you feel pain, your brain is sending signals that there is some part of your body that needs attention. If you ignore it, you are not interested in your health. Lacking time only means your health is low in your priority list.

In his book “In Fitness and in Health,” Dr. Philip Maffetone describes disease as simply an imbalance in the body, more specifically “a gross imbalance of normal body function ... the end result of dysfunction expressed by signs and symptoms of something in the body that has gone wrong.”

Would it be considered suicidal to ignore a body signal like pain? You know the answer to that. Ignore the signal, ignore your health.

Build your pyramid

Maffetone said the universal pyramid of food groups was just a guide. You can build your own depending on your lifestyle needs.

He recommends, in this order, water as the base of the pyramid (this you should take more often), vegetables (5-6 servings, cooked/raw, daily), complex carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats, refined carbo (breads, rolls, sweets, refined flour).

Pain watch
Anti-inflammatory foods should be high on your list such as sardines, mackerel kale, mustard greens, spinach, ampalaya (bitter gourd)), any green leafy vegetables, sprouts (bean, alfalfa, radish).

Make it a point to have a salad a day. This is a great start.

Migraine, headaches

Before taking that aspirin, drink two to three glasses of purified water and wait. You may just be dehydrated. See your doctor if pain persists. Try making it a habit to drink calming teas -- chamomile, St. John’s Wort, peppermint.

Backaches. Check your posture. Chances are you have been abusing your spine. Drink plenty of water (your kidney might be dehydrated).

Gout/arthritis. Being overweight can be a problem. Try to lose weight. Have a healthy meal plan. Do moderate exercise. Walk for better health. Try medication that will not cause side effects, like Celadrin Glucosamine Complex (Healthy Options).

Menstrual pain. Try to relax. Sip a cup of hot ginger tea for its antispasmodic effects. Raise your feet. Try a warm bath with lavender oil. Place a heating pad on your lower back and abdomen. Take an herbal supplement like evening primrose. Increase your B vitamin, zinc, calcium intake through nutritious foods such as seafood, eggs, veggies.

Muscle cramps/strain. Overworked muscles deserve a good stretch. Space your routine to every other day. Bad posture can cause muscles to stiffen. So be conscious of the way you sit or stand. Increase your magnesium, calcium and potassium intake. You may have mineral depletion.

Natural health

Studies have shown that when you are in pain, worrying about it can cause greater stress and inevitably increase the pain.

“Taking a pain killer,” Dr. Martin Camara of Intercare says, “will only cover up the pain and not its root cause.”’

Try these instead:
• Relaxation therapy like yoga• Mind therapy classes that teach meditation• Chiropractic care (at Intercare, tel. 8903378-79), massage, manipulation, ultrasound and acupuncture can alleviate chronic pain)

Heartache

The best cures for a broken heart are:
1. A serving of dark chocolates. Seriously, it boosts your serotonin levels thus producing relaxation. A glass of red wine (shiraz, merlot, margaux...)

2. Exercise like dancing, swimming, running, jogging, body-combat classes, brisk-walking. It releases endorphins, your feel-good hormones.

3. Laughter. It has the same relaxing effect. Watch funny movies.4. Company of loving friends5. Prayer and praise music

As tenor George Yang, chair of McDonalds Philippines, says: “Sing a happy tune to drive the blues away.”

Affirm with a song from the musical “Annie”:
“When I’m stuck with a day that’s gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin and say, ‘Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow, you’re only a day away.’”

Love and light!

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=91943

posted by Misteryo Philippines Network (MPN) @ 7:07 AM